Safe driving is one of the major concerns among drivers all over the world, but it’s necessary to realize that safe driving goes beyond just following the law. Safe driving can be achieved by simply abiding by the speed limits and other traffic laws at all times, not just driving as closely as possible to the vehicle in front of you. It can also be accomplished by maintaining a healthy body and mind.
Unfortunately, car accidents are something that will always happen as long as there are reckless and careless drivers on the road. To help our community avoid these unpleasant and often life-threatening accidents, numerous foundations are dedicated to promoting safe driving and educating mainly young drivers on driving safely. Take a look at several foundations devoted to this noble cause:
The Sawaya Foundation
The Sawaya Foundation is an organization founded by The Sawaya Law Firm that is dedicated to educating young people throughout Colorado about the importance of safe and responsible driving. The best example of the foundation’s commitment to promoting the importance of safe driving is its great support of the Colorado Department of Transportation’s (CODOT) campaign called “Teach Me How to GDL.”
The Sawaya Foundation has recognized this campaign as one of the most creative programs dedicated to safe driving in Colorado. “Teach Me How to GDL” targets newly licensed drivers between the ages of 15–18 and tries to raise their awareness of the importance of safe driving. CODOT uses short, engaging, and informative videos on social media platforms such as Snapchat, Instagram, and Facebook to reach teen drivers and educate them on driving safely.
National Foundation for Teen Safe Driving (NFTSD)
The National Foundation for Teen Safe Driving was founded in 2008. The foundation’s mission is to educate young drivers about how distracted driving is dangerous both for them and other drivers on the road. The NFTSD hopes that their efforts will help to lower the number of car accidents involving teenagers. The foundation works with local governments and communities in New Jerse to promote safe driving. The NFTSD also works with teens directly to foster leadership and peer education so that teens themselves can connect to their peers and help spread the message of safe driving.
People Against Distracted Driving (PADD)
People Against Distracted Driving is a nonprofit organization started by family members of Nikki Kellenyi, who lost her life as a passenger traveling with a distracted driver. Since then, the PADD has been working with local, state, and federal governments on educating people about the importance of safe driving. Furthermore, this organization provides support for those who’ve lost their loved ones in accidents involving distracted driving.
Safe America Foundation (SAF)
Safe America Foundation was founded in 1994. Since then, it has been providing top-quality education programs to teach drivers how to drive safely. The SAF invests the received funds back to the community of their home state, Georgia.
We Save Lives
As a nonprofit organization, We Save Lives focuses on lowering the number of highway accidents involving drugs, alcohol, and distracted driving. The organization was founded in 2013 and has worked at local, national, and international levels to promote the importance of safe driving education.
Aspects of Safe Driving
One of the most important aspects of safe driving is to always drive defensively. This means that you should always watch out for other drivers, even when they’re only a few feet away. Also, driving defensively means being aware of your surroundings, especially if there’s snow or ice on the road ahead. In addition, always keep your eyes on the road and keep your car pointed in the direction you want to go. Never pull off the road or lane just because you feel threatened by any car in the opposite direction. These simple safety tips are often overlooked, but without them, driving will be incredibly dangerous, no matter what kind of driver you are.
Aside from being able to obey the rules of the road, another aspect of safe driving is to avoid drinking alcohol before you ever get behind the wheel of a car. Alcohol is extremely dangerous, and it can also make you reckless and irresponsible. The same goes for other substances like marijuana—taking any substance that can impair your mental faculties or motor functions is generally bad to mix with operating heavy vehicles like cars.
Conclusion
Having a driver’s license doesn’t mean that a person is automatically safe in traffic. It’s up to each and every person to abide by the rules of safe driving to keep their lives and the lives of other drivers safe.
